Emptiness Camouflaging Along With Feelings

After a business tour I returned to empty home Wife and kids had been away enjoying holiday at her mothers home Everything was same TV, Fridge, Oven, Music System accepting my operating command as before bed, sofa, reclining chair all comforting my body Missing was the vivacious vibrancy of laughter, arguments, silence, love and affection Walls, curtains, photo frames, flower vases staring at me Tongue and ears jobless, eyes doubling up for speech and sound No one to offer glass of water or cup of tea Breakfast awaiting preparation by me, and eaten too Lunch and Dinner from menu delivered by hotel waiter Nightime no one to kiss goodbye, bother for next day wishes Learned, not that uninhabited homes only haunt Clamour of near and dear ones is what actually counts Amidst noise decibels we try to squeeze out some solitude Like fools among living souls we often seek silence of graveyard Telephone bell rings wife and kids indicate early arrival Suddenly the empty home turns into lively fair staring walls joyous on early prospect of baby hands caress Emptiness camouflaging along with feelings Haunting brick and mortar springing into lively atmosphere Hated apartment while alone, fool was I to blame innocent structure Learnt, futile to be in heaven after leaving, create heaven where one is living (Entry for Members Contest – Empty Apartment by Matt Caliri )